Hydrate Focus: Encouraging Words

The last few weeks have been especially fun for me as we have been working our way through our CORE Values. I had planned on spending one week just going over them and felt impressed to go over each one individually.

Last night we covered encouraging words. Here are some of my notes from last night message.

CORE Values: Encouraging Words

We have been in a series going through our core values. Core values are important because they tell you what is important to the group, family, or individual. Whether they are spelled out or not everyone has core values. They are reflected I how we walk, talk, and live. They effect the how people see you and how you see the world. I wanted you to know what to expect when you come to hydrate. As we close this series tonight. We are not closing the door on these core values. I hope it helps you see them more. More while you are here at hydrate but also in your own lives.

Let’s talk about Encouraging Words

To Encourage: give support, confidence, or hope to (someone): To give courage…

What is the opposite? Discourage – to lose confidence or enthusiasm

What is the root? Courage – the ability to do something that frightens…

We live in a world where cut downs and sarcasm is common place. Where social media is often a platform for bullying. Many times it’s the ones who claim to be Christians that are the most vocally opposed to the point of gossip or slander to ones who have different views than they do. We need to use our words to build up not tear down. Even when someone has different views than we do. It does not mean that we have to agree with everything they say but it does mean we should respect them.

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15

Words are so powerful! They have the ability to build up or tear down. I think that is awesome to think that our words have the ability to give courage to someone. Let look at two statements about encouraging words…

Speak Encouraging words to each other

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 12:25

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:24

Why is it important to be an encourager?

People are hurting far more than you know

Broken, pain, shame, guilt, embarrassment.

You have far more to offer than you think you do

I’m too young, no you are not.

Your words are powerful and have the ability to change direction of someone’s day.

Encouragement helps people take the next step in their relationship with the Lord. It’s not just about being a nice person it’s about helping people grow!

Dwell on Encouraging words from Scripture

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

The most encouraging message in all the bible is the message of redemption. If we look at the Bible as a whole, there is one big story. We see the creation in which there is great hope and wonder then we see the fall of man in which there is great tragedy, disappointment, and fear of the punishment that awaits mankind. Then we see the great hope of rescue through Jesus and the restoration of our relationship with God. Things can be as they once were. This should give us encouragement because if we are to just look at this world we live in, we see pain and brokenness but in Jesus we have hope and redemption.

So the challenge…

How do you use words?

Do you speak courage into someone’s life? Or do you tear down and take away their courage?

Encourage someone this week

Find verses in the Bible that talk about encouraging others

Check out this video to help get you thinking about the power of words!